Concrete Paths and Walkways in Boston, MA
Guiding Your Steps with Style and Durability by Boston Concrete Works
Boston Concrete Works builds high-quality concrete pathways and sidewalks with an emphasis on functionality and beauty. By building pathways to complement your property, we help make getting around the outdoors much easier. From garden trails to the primary entrance ways, we can build the pathway you want with design elements that match your landscape. Additionally, our pathways are designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions common to Boston. We pride ourselves on building pathways that are both functional and visually appealing, enhancing the curb appeal of your home or business, so each time you take a step, you’re taking it on a surface that is as safe as it is beautiful.
Using a combination of reinforced concrete and specialized finishing techniques, we are able to build pathways that remain level and avoid tripping hazards that result from tree root growth and frost heave. From a simple broom-finished sidewalk for function or a decorative stamped pathway that meanders throughout your backyard, we create projects tailored to meet your vision. Our commitment to quality means that your new pathway will be a clean, mud-free transition between spaces for years to come and will continue to stand strong during every rainy spring and icy winter that Boston has to offer.
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Why Choose Concrete Paths and Walkways?
- Durable: This product has excellent durability. The product resists weather extremes such as heavy winter snows and extremely hot summers in the Boston area. Asphalt melts at excessive heat, while wood warps from the extreme thermal expansion and contraction.
- Maintenance: Overall maintenance is minimal. Clean-up requires very little time and energy. Since you do not need to continually weed as you would with gravel or pavers, simply washing off debris with a pressure washer will make your path appear new again.
- Design Flexibility: Versatility appeals to many homeowners. Due to the wide variety of design possibilities available to you, the ability to match your home’s style is virtually endless. Stamps, stains, and other texture options are available to give your path a sophisticated appearance similar to more costly materials or a sleek, modern look to complement your architectural style.
- Slip Resistance: The slip-resistant properties are a safety feature. In damp conditions, these surfaces perform well. Finishes like broom swept or exposed aggregate provide critical traction for pedestrians when walking on wet pavement in rainy or snowy Boston.
- Endurance: Endure for generations. As long as you properly maintain the longevity of the walkway, it will last for decades. A concrete walkway is essentially a permanent fixture of your landscape if installed with adequate depth to the base course and sufficient reinforcement.
- Value (Cost Efficiency): Offers value. This product provides an aesthetic quality comparable to more expensive products (such as natural stone) but at a significantly lower cost. Receive the premium look of granite or slate without the premium pricing or the additional labor costs involved with laying individual stones by hand.
- Environmental Responsibility: Provides eco-friendly solutions. Permeable versions of our product aid in improved stormwater management at the point of origin. If your property has a drainage concern, we can design paths that allow water to pass through the top layer and into the ground beneath it, thereby improving water flow and reducing runoff impact on the local watershed.
Our Concrete Path and Walkway Services
Walkways Around Residential Property
Enhance Curb Appeal & Make Your Outdoor Space Inviting. We design walkways to provide an attractive entrance to your home as well as to create a pathway between different areas of your yard and/or house (driveway to front door or back porch to garden).
Garden Paths
We have designed many garden paths using either curved or straight paths to enhance the beauty of your landscape. Our garden paths protect your lawn and flower beds by creating a solid, mud-free area for walking in your yard.
Commercial Walkways
We offer a wide range of commercial walkway options for businesses, schools, government buildings, and other public places. All of our commercial walkways are built to withstand high traffic, meet all local building codes and regulations, and will last through the harsh conditions of industrial snow removal equipment.
Stamped or Colored Decorative Concrete Walkways
We offer a variety of decorative stamped or colored concrete walkway patterns to add some personality to your outdoor space. Some examples include concrete that resembles brick, cobblestone, or slate, and gives you a premium-looking walkway at a fraction of the cost of the real thing.
Permeable Walkways
Reduce stormwater run-off and improve drainage by installing a permeable concrete walkway. A permeable walkway allows rain to pass through the concrete and into the ground, reducing puddles and managing stormwater flow.
Repair or Resurface Old Pathways
If your current walkway has structural integrity but looks old and faded, consider having us resurface and restore your walkway. By applying a new decorative overlay to your existing walkway, you can make it look like new again without replacing the entire walkway.
Concrete Path and Walkway Design Options
Classic Broom Finish
A non-slip surface. Our number-one finish for functional walkways (sidewalks) in New England. The classic finish provides a clean look while also offering good traction from the heavy rain and snow that are common in the New England area.
Stamped Pattern Finishes
Brick, Cobblestone, Natural Stone. Using high-quality mats to press detailed patterns into the wet concrete, we are able to give you the same appearance as if you had poured each stone, but with the added benefit of a single solid slab.
Exposed Aggregate Finishes
Textured finish showing decorative stones. Exposed aggregate finishes provide a textured finish, exposing decorative stones and creating an extremely durable and slip-resistant surface. Dirt and wear will be concealed by the aggregate.
Coloring
Colored Concrete and Stained Surfaces. We can add pigment to the concrete to achieve integral colors, which means the color will run throughout the entire depth of the slab. Topical stains can be applied to create a marbled, multi-tonal effect that will complement the color of your home’s exterior siding.
Border Finish
Border Finish: Contrasting Edges for Visual Definition. By applying a contrasting edge (smooth or different-colored) around a stamped or broom-finished center, we have created a border finish that adds a level of sophistication to your path and gives it an architectural finish.
Lighted Path Finishes
Lighted Path Finishes: Safety and Ambiance. We can install low-voltage LED housings directly into the design of your lighted path. Your path will be illuminated at night and will provide a warm and inviting glow to your landscape.
Our Concrete Path and Walkway Installation Process
Our concrete path and walkway installation process ensures every project is handled with precision, from the first conversation to the final protective coat.
- Initial Consultation: The first thing experts do is meet for an initial meeting to discuss your vision, budget, and those “needs” you may see at the start. After this first meeting, we can develop our strategy based on your needs before digging the first hole.
- Site Evaluation: Following the initial meeting, a site evaluation occurs. Our teams are then able to evaluate the property, taking note of its specific characteristics and identifying potential problems with the property. We also take note of issues like tree root systems, pre-existing drainage systems, and soil composition to identify areas where cracking could occur in the future.
- Custom Design: Once we’ve completed the site evaluation, we begin creating a custom design. A designer creates a pathway or walkway that complements the surrounding landscape. We think about how people naturally move through an area and how the new pathway will connect to your existing porches, patios, and/or driveways.
- Ground Preparation: Ground preparation follows shortly after. The grading has to be done correctly, and workers need to install a stable foundation that will hold up long-term. Grading is very important in Boston because if the sub-base isn’t properly compacted, the walkway will still shift when the ground freezes and thaws.
- Pouring and Finishing: At this point, we pour the concrete and complete the finishing work. Skilled professionals on our team install the entire walkway carefully and make sure each step lines up perfectly. At this stage, we add your desired texture—whether it’s a smooth broom finish or an intricate stamped pattern.
- Curing and Sealing: Finally, we allow time for the walkway to cure completely. And then we apply a protective sealer on top of the finished product to protect the surface from wear and tear. In particular, in New England, we use a protective sealer to block moisture and salt from damaging the surface in the winter.
Why Choose Boston Concrete Works for Your Paths and Walkways?
- Knowledge of Local Conditions: As a Boston-based company, we know how to build paths that will be able to withstand the harsh New England winters. Our knowledge of local frost lines and soil conditions allows us to lay down a solid base that will prevent the walking surface from heaving and cracking due to poor installation.
- Quality Materials: We use high-quality, premium-mix concrete reinforced with steel or synthetic fibers, providing the maximum amount of durability. When choosing the correct PSI rating for the concrete, we make sure that the path can support heavy snow-removal equipment and expand with winter ice without cracking.
- Qualified Craftsmanship: We have been building concrete paths and sidewalks for many years. The attention to detail and professionalism we provide shows through in all of our finished projects, whether they are simple, clean-lined standard sidewalks or intricately detailed, stamped decorative paths.
- Custom Path Design: We take the time to consult with you and create custom paths that will enhance your outdoor living space. We do not simply pour straight lines; we observe the curves of your property and the architecture of your house to create a path that appears to have always been there.
- Attention to Detail: We pay attention to even the smallest detail when creating your custom path. The slope of the path is calculated so that water will run away from your home’s foundation. We also ensure that no puddles or ice patches are forming where people will be walking.
- Timely Completion: We respect your time and will complete your project on time. We plan out our crew and material delivery schedules to minimize any disruptions to your daily routine and get your property back to normal as soon as possible.
Concrete Paths vs. Other Materials
Choosing the right material for your property is a long-term decision. Here is how concrete stacks up against common alternatives used in the Greater Boston area:
Comparing Concrete vs. Gravel Paths
- Strength/Stability: A concrete path will provide a much stronger, more durable surface to walk on, making it ideal for people who use walkers or strollers.
- Cleaning: The path will also be easier to clean and maintain, as there will be less chance of dirt and debris entering your house or vehicle due to the stones being tracked in.
- Snow Removal: Snow removal from a concrete path is very easy (it can be shoveled or plowed), while a gravel path is very difficult to remove snow from, as the gravel will get blown all over and then shoveled back onto the path during removal.
Comparing Concrete vs. Brick Walkways
- Longevity/Structural Strength: Since each piece of brick or paver is a separate unit that shifts over time, the path may eventually develop uneven sections of the walkway where weeds and other plants can grow up through the cracks between the bricks or pavers.
- Flexibility of Design: Concrete allows for more design flexibility since you can stamp concrete to create the look of a solid brick walkway, but with none of the ongoing maintenance associated with mortar joints.
- Cost/Economics: Typically, concrete paths are more cost-effective for larger areas of ground coverage. They offer a premium look at a lower cost per square foot.
Concrete vs. Natural Stone Paths
- Cost: Sourcing and installing natural flagstone or granite is significantly more expensive than pouring concrete to create a path.
- Safety: Concrete paths are safer because they are a smooth, even surface, which reduces the risk of tripping hazards caused by the varying thicknesses of natural stone.
- Appearance: Modern technology has allowed us to replicate the appearance of natural stone using stamping techniques, creating beautiful, long-lasting designs that resemble the look of slate, fieldstone, etc., but do not require the constant maintenance of a natural stone walkway.
Maintaining Your Concrete Paths and Walkways in Boston
- Cleaning: Regular cleaning is required to maintain the surface cleanliness of the stamped or stained concrete. Leaves and soil should be removed from the surface to prevent organic stains and to provide slip resistance on wet surfaces.
- Washing: Washing the surface is recommended periodically to maintain its cleanliness. A mild detergent and either a garden hose or a low-pressure power washer will assist in removing tough stains and keep your stamped or stained concrete looking vibrant.
- Sealing: Sealing the stamped or stained concrete is required every two to three years to protect against stains and moisture. As an example, sealing is very important in New England because it acts as a barrier between the concrete and water that would otherwise penetrate the concrete and potentially be damaged by the freeze-thaw process.
- Winter Care: De-icing salt should never be used to provide traction during winter months. Instead, sand should be applied to the surface to create traction. The harsh chemicals and salts used in de-icing products can “scale” or “eat away” at the surface of the concrete. Sand creates enough traction to provide safe footing on ice but does not compromise the structural integrity of the concrete walkway.
- Repairing Cracks: Any cracks in the stamped or stained concrete should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent additional water penetration and damage to the surface. When a crack is discovered and filled immediately, there is less opportunity for water to enter the space under the slab, which could then freeze and move the slab upwards or sideways.
Ready to Enhance Your Outdoor Navigation?
Picture yourself walking through your yard on an inviting concrete pathway, or greeting visitors from a beautiful entrance walkway. At Boston Concrete Works, we will help you make those ideas become realities. We will collaborate with you to build pathways and walkways that are not only functional to guide people around your yard, but also increase the beauty and value of your property.
Call today to schedule a complimentary consultation and quote. Discover how custom concrete pathways and walkways can improve the look and function of your outdoor spaces in Boston.
Phone: (617) 958-2158
Email: [email protected]
Boston Concrete Works – Paving the Way for Beauty and Functionality in Your Outdoor Spaces.
FAQs About Concrete Paths and Walkways in Boston, MA
The width of a concrete walkway depends on its purpose and location:
- Main entrance walkways: Typically 4-6 feet wide
- Garden paths: Usually 2-3 feet wide
- Commercial walkways: Often 5-6 feet wide or more We’ll help you determine the ideal width based on your specific needs and space constraints.
Yes, we can incorporate heating systems into your concrete walkways. This feature is especially useful for:
- Reducing the need for snow removal
- Improving safety by preventing ice formation
- Extending the usability of outdoor spaces in winter We’ll work with you to design a heated walkway system that meets your needs and budget.
Proper drainage is crucial for the longevity of your concrete paths. We employ several techniques:
- Sloping the path away from structures (typically 1/4 inch per foot)
- Installing drainage channels or French drains alongside paths when necessary
- Using permeable concrete options in areas prone to water accumulation
- Ensuring proper subgrade preparation to prevent settling and water pooling These methods help protect your paths from water damage and ice formation during Boston’s wet seasons and winter months.